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Battle for 39th Senate District seat heats up

The race for the 39th Senate District seat is heating up as the election draws near.

Republican Tom Basile and Democratic Assemblyman James Skoufis are vying for the seat left vacant after longtime Republican Sen. William Larkin retired.

Stony Point deputy Town Supervisor Tom Basile says his number one priority is to provide tax relief. Lowering taxes is also Assemblyman Skoufis' priority. Basile says he will do it by cutting spending and types of programs Skoufis has already favored in the Assembly.

"My opponent has voted with New York City liberals who want bigger government, bigger programs, more taxes," says Basile.

Skoufis says he votes for his district not down party lines He says that his plan to tax the mega-wealthy more than the middle class will provide real tax relief. Skoufis says he has actually voted against 195 tax hike bills.